The Legend. Born in Perry, OK May 13th, 1932. Danny is a retired professional boxer & wrestler. He was born, raised, and still lives in Perry, OK with his wife Delores. In High School He won the 165 lb. wrestling state tournament in 1951. He was undefeated at 46-0 with 36 pins as a 177 lb grappler at the University of Oklahoma from 1955-1957, won the NCAA championship in all three of those years pinning all three of his finals opponents. Danny was never taken down from a standing positionwhile in college. He is the only amateur wrestler to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Danny placed 5th in the 1952 Olympics and won the Silver in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Austraila. Danny worked as a professional wrestler for 18 years. Danny was also an amateur boxer winning the Chicago Golden Gloves in 1958 with an amateur record of 17-0-0 with 12 KO’s. On March 29th, 2005 Danny was honored by the Oklahoma legislature as an “Oklahoma Sports Hero”

Mike Bower - Vice Chairman

Phone: (405) 271-9444, ext. 57992, Email: boxing@health.ok.gov

Mike Bower began his boxing career in 1973 participating in Amateur Golden Glove Boxing with Heath Boxing Club. In 1981 Mike began boxing on the Toughman circuit winning the Oklahoma State Toughman Championship in1981 & 1983. Since that time he has continued his involvement in boxing serving as a sparring partner, manger and corner man before his appointment to the Oklahoma Athletic Commission in 1999 by Governor Frank Keating. Mike has served 4 terms on the Commission under 3 Governors. Mike spent 31 years in the Fire Service and was Chief of The Midwest City Fire Department for 16 years. Since retiring from the Fire Department in 2004, Mike has served as the Emergency Management Director for the City of Midwest City for the past 8 years.

Dr. Larry Lovelace - Commissioner

Phone: (405) 271-9444, ext. 57992, Email: boxing@health.ok.gov

Larry Lovelace Dr. Larry T Lovelace is a physician certified in Emergency Medicine and Trauma. He graduated from Oklahoma University in 3 years; then attended Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. He served in the US Army for 8 years and achieved the rank of Major. Dr Lovelace did his residency in Emergency Medicine at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He is also certified in ringside medicine; treating professional fighters as well as future olympians on the US Olympic Boxing Team.His father was an Army officer and a golden gloves champion; so Larry naturally became involved with the US Army Boxing team. He has served as a ringside physician for over 30 years; and was elected as the national 'Ringside Physician of The Year' in 2006. He is considered an expert in ringside medicine and was recently elected as a board member of the 'Association of Ringside Physicians' (international association). Dr Lovelace has trained emergency medicine physicians, PAs, interns, residents, and paramedics for over 30 years. He won the award 'Preceptor of the Year' at Oklahoma University College of Medicine - PA school 4 times; and was selected as the 'Keynote Speaker' at the graduation ceremony in 2010. Doc Lovelace has lectured nationally and internationally on 'Ringside Medicine and Safety'; and considers the health and safety of the participants to be his highest priority. He has been an attending physician at OU Medical Center / Trauma 1 Center in OKC for the last 12 years; and has a family practice in Moore, OK.

Malcom Atwood - Commissioner

Phone: (405) 271-9444, ext. 57992, Email: boxing@health.ok.gov

Malcom Atwood was appointed to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission by Governor Brad Henry in 2005 and has served continuously since that time. Commissioner Atwood retired from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control in 2003. Malcom began his career with the OBN as a narcotics agent shortly after serving our country in the United States Air Force. He rose to the top and was appointed the Director in 1995 where he remained until his retirement in 2003. Other than boxing, wrestling, and mixed martial arts, his biggest hobby is boating. He spent a full year sailing around the world.

Glen Vernon - Commissioner

Phone: (405) 271-9444, ext. 57992, Email: boxing@health.ok.gov

Glen Vernnon was appointed to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission July 1, 2003. He has had a life-long interest in boxing at both the amateur and professional levels and was instrumental in promoting boxing tournaments through the Sertoma Club at Whitaker State Children's Home in Pryor, OK where he served as a volunteer assistant boxing coach for several years. He was certified by the Amateur Athletic Union as a referee, judge and time keeper and served extensively as a referee. He attended Bakersfield College in California, Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK and Tulsa University on a Fellowship in Urban Studies. Before retiring he was employed as Director of the Rogers County Community Action Foundation, Executive Director for the Mayes County Soil Conservation Board, Owner and Operator of Green Country Yamaha, AMC & Jeep, Inc., and Personal Financial planner with IDS, a subsidiary of American Express. Affiliations include Sertoma Club, past President; Elks Lodge, past Exalted Ruler; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Board of Education of Northeast Oklahoma Vo-Tech School, past President; Salina School Alumni Association, past President; US Air Force, Sergeant. He is now retired and lives with his wife Barbara in Pryor, OK.

Terry Smith - Commissioner

Phone: (405) 271-9444, ext. 57992, Email: boxing@health.ok.gov

Terry Smith has been a Martial Arts Instructor in Oklahoma City for over 40 years. He has trained thousands of people in Karate, Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. He fought in and promoted Karate and Kickboxing events in the United States, Mexico, the Soviet Union and Uzbekistan. He served as Vice President of Chuck Norris’ United Fighting Arts Federation and was promoted to 6th Degree Black Belt by Mr. Norris. He founded the Oklahoma Karate Association in 1985 to promote fighter safety and unified fighting rules. In the 1980’s he was a Boxing judge and referee and also promoted Professional Kickboxing Association events in Oklahoma City.

Robert A. Manchester - Commissioner

Phone: (405) 271-9444, ext. 57992, Email: boxing@health.ok.gov

Robert A. Manchester IV is a long time Oklahoma City resident, and proud father of two sons, with a law practice focusing in the areas of insurance defense, workers compensation, trademark applications, administrative board representation, structured settlement acquisition and general civil litigation. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Government, graduating with distinction from the University of Redlands in Southern California. Subsequently, he received his Juris Doctorate from the University Of Oklahoma College Of Law.

Robert represents a myriad of insurance providers and third party administrations and maintains an active general civil practice for numerous individuals and companies that place him in all corners and courts of Oklahoma. As Board Counsel for the Oklahoma State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, he continues to expand his administrative law experience. He is an active member of the Enforcement Committee for the National Counsel of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. He currently is the Chairman of the Jim Thorpe Award and a member of the Thorpe Board of Trustees. Recently he was sworn in as the Associate Municipal Judge in the City of the Village. Governor Mary Fallin appointed him to the Oklahoma Athletic Commission where he currently serves as a Commissioner. He is a founding Board Member of Kid’s Chance of Oklahoma.

Bar Admission
Oklahoma (2002)

Memberships & Associations
Associate Municipal Judge; City of the Village
Board Counsel; Oklahoma State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
Enforcement Committee for the National Counsel of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
Chairman; Jim Thorpe Award Selection Committee
Jim Thorpe Board of Trustees
Commissioner; Oklahoma Athletic Commission
Oklahoma Business Roundtable
Kid’s Chance of Oklahoma - Founding Board Member